Surface asset management mapping system

An asset management mapping system including a microphone recording the audio of the asset inspector and a condition signal generator generating an condition signal based on asset inspector input from a keypad including condition selectors recorded into a global positioning system recorder that associates the audio, condition signal, and video with a gps location to create a pavement condition database. The database is interpreted to generate a condition output map of the areas inspected and provide associated video of each location on the map.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/880,335, filed on Jul. 30, 2019 entitled SURFACE ASSET MANAGEMENT MAPPING SYSTEM; and also claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/704,834 filed on Dec. 5, 2019 entitled Surface Asset Management Mapping System which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/636,901 filed on Jun. 29, 2017 entitled Asset Management Mapping System which is a continuation in part of U.S. provisional application 62/356,202 filed on Jun. 29, 2016 entitled Asset Management Mapping System which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in condition management for maintaining large area assets such as pathways, parking lots, driveways, roads, and highways. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements particularly suited for monitoring the condition of pathways constructed from asphalt, pavement, chip seal, or the like. In particular, the present invention relates specifically to a global positioning recording system combined with a pavement condition capturing system to generate a condition map showing various pavement conditions and problems.

2. Description of the Known Art

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, pavement condition video reviewing systems are known in various forms. Patents disclosing information relevant to pavement appearance include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,790, issued to Burgess on May 25, 2004. This patent is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The abstract of U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,790 states: The system of the present invention includes a hardware device (40) and software, which are configurable and operable in three modes: recording mode, indexing mode, and playback mode. In the recording mode, the hardware device (40) is connected to a GPS receiver (44) and video recording device (42), and permits GPS data to be recorded on the same recording medium that images are recorded on using the video recording device (42). As a result, a particular geographic location associated with particular images can be directly referenced by GPS data. After recording the images, the hardware device (40) is connected to a computer (46) having the software of the present invention installed, and the system causes GPS data to be transferred from the recording medium to the computer (46) as the recorded images are replayed. During this step, called the indexing mode, the computer (46) draws a map showing all of the GPS referenced locations recorded on the recording medium. Each map location represents a location where images were recorded with GPS data. Once the indexing mode is completed, the system can be used to play back the images recorded, in accordance with the selection of a location on a map. During this step, called the playback mode, a marker may be selected on the computer (46) generated indexed map, and the system will cause the video recording device (42) to play back the images that were recorded at that selected location. Alternatively, if the recorded images have been transferred to some other media, for example CD ROM or hard disk, the system will cause the computer (46) to play back the images that were recorded at that selected location.

From these prior references it may be seen that these prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization, and an improved asset management mapping system is needed to overcome these limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved asset management mapping system using a condition signal generator with multiple condition gauging conditions and a coordinated output system for generating management maps. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an asset management mapping system is provided including a microphone recording the asset inspector's audio comments and a condition signal generator generating a condition signal based on the asset inspector's input from a keypad. The keypad includes condition selectors electrically coupled to a signal generator that generate unique signals that can be recorded at the same time as the audio of the asset inspector via the global positioning system recorder that associates the condition signal, audio comments, and video with a gps location to create a pavement condition database. When the recorded database is then converted to a map, the condition data is either laid on top of the map data or used to change the map data to generate unique indicators such as colors or unique patterns on the map that can be read as a condition output map of the areas inspected.

One object of the present invention is to provide an efficient quick inspection process to reviewing large areas of pavement to maintain accurate knowledge about pavement inventory and present this information in a visual format for management of the pavement inventory.

Another object is to provide a coded map output so that large areas of pavement can be quickly reviewed to prioritize repairs and maintenance.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a simple system that is easily used to generate the database and output maps.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an asset inspector visually scanning the pavement and selecting a condition being recorded and output to a pavement condition map.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the condition selections on the keypad.

FIG. 2a is a schematic view showing examples of unique six bit electronic signals for condition signal recording.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of the scan to the map output.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an output map showing multiple different zones indicated by a cross hatching pattern and stars.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an output map showing multiple different zones indicated by a wording aligned with the street areas and a number sign type cross hatching pattern and stars used as other indicators.

FIG. 6 shows a login page for a user interface.

FIG. 7 shows the drop down client selection page.

FIG. 8 shows the page with the drop down menu displayed.

FIG. 9 shows the simple client page with an overview map, vehicle position indicator, and side video screen.

FIG. 10 shows the administrator login.

FIG. 11 shows the existing client selection drop down menu.

FIG. 12 shows the file maintenance screen.

FIG. 13 shows the video screen with a condition and item indicator selector positioned below the screen.

FIG. 14 shows the map with zoom showing finer street detail.

FIG. 15 shows the video enlarged with upper right map position indicator.

FIG. 16 shows a front view selection.

FIG. 17 shows a left side view selection.

FIG. 18 shows a right side view selection.

FIG. 19 shows a user maintenance screen.

FIG. 20 shows a client maintenance screen with customization logo entry.

FIG. 21 shows a location maintenance screen

FIG. 22 shows a video file upload maintenance screen

FIG. 23 shows an XML file upload maintenance screen.

FIG. 24 shows a kmz/kml file upload maintenance screen.

FIG. 25 shows a user file upload screen.

FIG. 26 shows a phone application overview of a system using for pavement mapping.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally shown as an asset management mapping system 100 mounted in a vehicle 10 operated by an asset inspector 12. The asset inspector 12 monitors the road conditions and a video camera records the position and view of the camera on a global positioning system (gps) audio, condition signal, and video recorder 14 that associates the audio, condition signal, and video with a gps location. Connected into the recorder 14 is an asset management mapping system 100 including a microphone 102 recording the audio of the asset inspector and a condition signal generator 200 generating an condition signal 201 based on asset inspector input from a keypad 210 including condition selectors 220. This information is recorded into the gps recorder 14.

The keypad includes multiple condition selectors 220. In the preferred embodiment shown, the condition selectors 220 include: Good condition selector 230; Fair condition selector 232; Critical condition selector 234; Lost condition selector 236; Excellent condition selector 238; Surface condition selector 240; Cracked Surface Condition selector 242; Starting pothole condition selector 250; Critical pothole condition selector 252; Audio note condition selector 260; Large volume cracking condition selector 270; Alligator surface condition selector 272; and drain condition selector 274.

Condition Line Definitions:

Excellent

    • A pavement in condition EXCELLENT is in perfect condition
    • No corrective maintenance or preventive maintenance is recommended

Good

    • Preventive maintenance may be recommended
    • Corrective maintenance is typically not recommended
    • Pavement distress is limited to oxidation, weathering and minor climate related damage
    • Structural distress (if present) is both localized and low density (<5%)

Fair

    • Preventive maintenance may be recommended
    • Corrective maintenance may be recommended
    • A variety of pavement distresses may be present
    • Structural distress may be localized as well as global
    • Global Structural damage is low severity/low density

Critical

    • A pavement in condition CRITICAL is likely to be LOST (and require reconstruction) within 2 years
    • A variety of pavement distresses may be present
    • Surface and Structural distresses are typically global in nature
    • A combination of corrective and preventive maintenance may be recommended

Lost

    • A LOST pavement requires major M&R (Maintenance and Repair/Reconstruction)
    • Shallow, Deep, and/or Full-Depth Reconstruction may be recommended

Pavement Distress

    • Low Surface Distress—Low Density
    • Medium Surface Distress—Medium to High Density
      • Climate (non-structural) related distress including:
      • Surface Cracking, Longitudinal and Transverse Cracking, Block Cracking, Edge Cracking
      • Severe Weathering, Raveling, Bleeding, Scaling (PCC), Durability Cracking (PCC)

Structural Distress and Mass Structural Distress

    • Evidence of structural/durability distress present
    • Depth of structural damage (shallow, deep) is not indicated
    • Distresses include Alligator Cracking, Rutting (High Severity), Depression (High Severity), Utility Cuts

Pothole 01 and Pothole 02

    • Observed Pothole 01 is of higher importance than observed Pothole 02
    • Pothole 01 is a Major Pothole and is typically structural in nature
    • Pothole 02 is a minor pothole and may consist of edge conditions/small popouts

Drainage/Water Issue

    • Observed drainage issues present on the pavement surface—may be a variety of causes
    • Depression, rutting, drainage (or lack of drainage), condensate lines, roof drains, etc

Other signal conditions could include ones for monitoring signs, landscaping, striping, reflectors, or other assets near or associated with the pavement or asset being monitored.

In the condition signal generator 200, each condition selector 230 has an individually identifiable condition signal 201 shown as a six bit electronic signal having unique signals such as Good condition signal 231; Fair condition signal 233; Critical condition signal 235; Lost condition signal 237; Excellent condition signal 239; Surface condition signal 241; Cracked Surface Condition signal 243; Starting pothole condition signal 251; Critical pothole condition signal 253; Audio note condition signal 261; Large volume cracking condition signal 271; Alligator surface condition signal 273; and drain condition signal 275.

Once a selector 220 is chosen the condition signal generator 200 will either act as a short term pulse to note a specific spot such as a pot hole and then return to the previous long term signal, or will change the long term signal such as an extended alligator pattern and to continue to generate that condition signal 201 until a new condition selector 220 is chosen or the recording is terminated. This information is recorded by the gps recorder 14.

During decoding of the recorded data from the gps recorder 14, a condition signal decoder 300, such as an analog to digital decoder or pulse width monitoring system reads the condition signal 201 associated with a gps location and assigns a unique condition indicator 402 for each one of the condition selector 220 originally selected by the operator. In this manner, the user's observations are recorded to be associated with a gps location and then decoded for later use in a database or map. FIG. 4 shows the associated map output for showing the varying condition indicator 402 output in a cross hatching example. The condition indicators 402 include a Good condition pattern 430; Fair condition pattern 432; Critical condition pattern 434; Lost condition pattern 436; Excellent condition pattern 438; Surface condition pattern 440; Cracked Surface Condition pattern 442; Starting pothole condition pattern 450; Critical pothole condition pattern 452; Audio note condition pattern 260; Large volume cracking condition pattern 470; and Alligator surface condition pattern 472. Examples of the unique output include shading variations, different colors, different patterns, or perceivable variations. FIG. 4 shows how different shadings can be used to indicate the various condition selectors and FIG. 5 shows how the condition indicators 402 can be wording to indicate the various conditions. Preferably, the unique output is as simple as unique color such as a red output for the critical condition selector and a green output for a good condition selector. Using colors, a simple condition output device 400 such as a color printer can then output a color map showing the various conditions over a large area where the areas can be identified easily.

FIG. 3 provides a flow overview of the system operation 500. Upon initiation, the system records its position and sets a base condition signal 501. The asset inspector scans the road 502, and then selects the current condition 504. The system checks to see if this is a new condition 506, if yes, the system switches to generate the new condition signal 508. The system then generates the appropriate condition signal and the recorder 14 records the condition signal 510. The system checks to see if the session has ended 512 and if it has not, returns to repeat the process continuously. In this manner, the system records the gps position and the condition while the driver inspects the roadway to update the condition signal and gps position as they change. When the session is ended, the system reviews the recorded data 514 and generates a location map 516 based on the gps locations but unlike the prior art, adds a varying condition indicator 518 such as a color to the output to indicate the road condition on the output of the final output map 520. Thus, where the prior art only provided a simple line map with video file locations and required one to view the video to see the current condition, the present invention allows one to see the road condition on the condition map 401 itself. This is done my moving the files from the recording device to a computer and running them through a mapping software such as GOOGLE EARTH™ software available from Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, Calif. 94043 to get the locations. One the locations are mapped, the file is saved and moved to AUTOCAD where the condition colors and symbols associated with the conditions for each location are used to change the properties associated with that section of the map such as the color of that location or to add a signal at that location. On each location on the map, the system applies unique condition indicators on the output to show the varying road conditions 514 that were recorded for that location. The preferable method is to use color, symbols, or text to indicate the road condition so that large swaths of land such as an entire township or county can be viewed on one letterhead sized piece of paper and to indicate potholes or the like with a unique symbol such as a hashtag. The system then uses the software outputs to download the data and/or output the map 516 preferably using a color printer. Note that the computer aided design information can also be output as a spreadsheet if that output is preferred. For the preferred embodiment of the dataset columns used are GPS location, road name, condition, # potholes, # cracks, Audio notes, drain, and a link to work history. The spreadsheet allows the information to be sorted so that priorities can be determined and decisions made as to which repairs need to be done in what order. As indicated by this approach, once placed in a spreadsheet format, a simple cross reference formula can be applied from the GPS location to known streets to apply street names or addresses to the spreadsheet database. Thus, the database can include a GPS location per row with columns for location address, street name, condition, and a cross reference link to the video image to be shown for that location. This provides a database and a map that can be used in addition to the known prior art video playback system. The database or map can be output onto a screen or a physically printed map as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, all of these information processing capabilities can be provided.

FIGS. 6 through 25 shows a graphic interface for displaying the road condition map with indicators and the related video.

FIG. 6 shows a login page on a main data computer system for a user interface where the user's email address and password can be used for access to the system. Once the user is in the system, they can access their various clients or city locations using the drop down menu shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 then provides an example of a client list with the drop down menu displayed.

FIG. 9 shows the simple client page with an overview condition map 401, vehicle position indicator 902, and left side video screen 904. The vehicle position indicator provides both a location and a direction indicator for the video being displayed in the left side video screen. Note that the center or front video is shown in this figure.

FIG. 10 shows the administrator login using a similar email and password identifier.

FIG. 11 shows the existing client selection drop down menu or the administrator that is similar to the client list shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 shows the file maintenance screen where map, video and data files can be managed with editing, uploading, or placing in an inactive status. The files are manages with location, state, city, facility, property class, and zip code information.

FIG. 13 shows the video screen with a condition and item indicator selector positioned below the screen. In this example, the drain item is selected to show drain positioning on the condition map 401. FIG. 13 shows the video screen with a condition and item indicator selector positioned below the screen. At the bottom of the video inset a dropdown allows the user to select and show distress icons (Potholes, Structural Damage, Surface Distress, Drainage, etc.). The User is able to select any condition line or distress placemark and ‘Play Video’ at that location. Selecting ‘Play Video’ begins playing the video within the website's video inset. Map and Video are able to be toggled (large/small) for better viewing. Front, Right or Left Side camera allows the user to view the associated Front, Right or Left Side camera. 360-degree camera allows the user to view a 360 degree video.

FIG. 14 shows the condition map 401 with an zoomed in image showing finer street detail and variations in street conditions.

FIG. 15 shows the video enlarged with upper right map position indicator 902. FIG. 16 shows a front view selection with the vehicle pointed in a different direction indicating that the video rotates with the map position indicator 902. FIG. 17 shows a left side view selection in a parking lot in accordance with the rotational position of the map position indicator 902. FIG. 18 shows a right side view selection with the map position indicator 902 showing the position adjacent to the building on the condition map 401.

FIG. 19 shows a user maintenance screen where the user name, email, user type, and edit can be selected for each user.

FIG. 20 shows an edit client maintenance screen with client name, client type, client description, and customization logo entry and editing including a display of the selected logo for user convenience.

FIG. 21 shows a location maintenance screen with location name, facility, state, city, property class, zip code, and area.

FIG. 22 shows a video file upload maintenance screen. The FSOnline.KMZ references supporting files—in this case an .xml data file and a .mp4 video file—both of which must be uploaded. The Administrator selects the date associated with the FSOnline.KMZ and can then browse for associated video files (.mp4 files in this case) or select, drag and drop. The administrator then Selects the ‘Direction’ of the video files such as Center, Left Right, or 360 view and selects ‘UPLOAD’ and the video files are uploaded to the website.

Note that after all three (3) sets of files are uploaded (FSOnline.KMZ, .XML, .MP4) select ‘SYNC’ to allow the program to fully load the data. Finally, select ‘Check Files’ to generate a report that verifies all files are available (and list any files that are missing).

FIG. 23 shows an XML file upload maintenance screen. The FSOnline.KMZ references supporting files—in this case an .xml data file and a .mp4 video file (Note: Link to example .xml and .mp4 files is located at the bottom of this email)—both of which must be uploaded. The administrator selects the date associated with the FSOnline.KMZ and browses for associated data files (.xml files in this case) or select, drag and drop. The administrator then selects the ‘Direction’ of the data files such as Center, Left, Right, or 360 and then selects ‘UPLOAD’ and the data files are uploaded to the website.

FIG. 24 shows a kmz/kml file upload maintenance screen where a mapping file containing reference data is uploaded to the website. This mapping file contains both the location of the input (condition line and/or distress) and the associated video file. The administrator selects the date the patrol was completed and browses to the created FSOnline.KMZ file (or drag and drop to selected location), select the ‘Direction’ of the FSOnline.KMZ file for the Center, Left, Right, 360 options and selects ‘UPLOAD’ and the FSOnline.KMZ data is uploaded to the website.

FIG. 25 shows a user file upload screen. Once all data has been uploaded the Client's data is able to be easily accessed and viewed. To change one simply Selects the Client from the dropdown list and the desired patrol (2019 Road Conditions). The data (FSOnline.KMZ, XML Files, MP4 Files) are loaded within the website and illustrated condition lines enable the user to select any point upon the condition line and play the associated video file within the website video inset.

FIG. 26 shows a phone application overview of a system using for pavement mapping. In this embodiment the previous elements are integrated into a mobile device such as phone where a mobile phone application is utilized using software to collect the data on the mobile device with the phone's GPS, microphone for audio notes from the inspector, camera or connected video device to create a data file that is uploaded using the device's cell or communication signal for processing by a main data computer system. It is envisioned that the mobile device could immediately process these files itself, although current technology speed seems to limit this capability. Thus, the main data computer system processes the files and provides the website interface previously discussed. The main data computer system can thus provide a detailed interactive information map, videos associated with locations on the map, data files such as those used by spreadsheet programs to view, search, and manipulate the data sets, data outputs associated with other mapping software, and provide information back to the mobile device to provide these features on the mobile device or phone itself.

Reference numerals used throughout the detailed description and the drawings correspond to the following elements:

    • Vehicle 10
    • Asset inspector 12
    • GPS condition and note recorder 14
    • Asset management mapping system 100
    • Microphone 102
    • Condition signal generator 200
    • condition signal 201
    • Keypad 210
    • Condition selectors 220
    • Good condition 230
    • Good condition signal 231
    • Fair condition 232
    • Fair condition signal 233
    • Critical condition 234
    • Critical condition signal 235
    • Lost condition 236
    • Lost condition signal 237
    • Excellent condition 238
    • Excellent condition signal 239
    • Surface condition 240
    • Surface condition signal 241
    • Cracked Surface Condition 242
    • Cracked Surface Condition signal 243
    • Starting pothole condition 250
    • Starting pothole condition signal 251
    • Critical pothole condition 252
    • Critical pothole condition signal 253
    • Audio note condition 260
    • Audio note condition signal 261
    • Large volume cracking condition 270
    • Large volume cracking condition signal 271
    • Alligator surface condition 272
    • Alligator surface condition signal 273
    • drain condition 274
    • drain condition signal 275
    • Condition signal decoder 300
    • Condition output device 400
    • Condition map 401
    • Condition indicator 402
    • Good condition pattern 430
    • Fair condition pattern 432
    • Critical condition pattern 434
    • Lost condition pattern 436
    • Excellent condition pattern 438
    • Surface condition pattern 440
    • Cracked Surface Condition pattern 442
    • Starting pothole condition pattern 450
    • Critical pothole condition pattern 452
    • Audio note condition pattern 260
    • Large volume cracking condition pattern 470
    • Alligator surface condition pattern 472

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will also be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

When interpreting the claims of this application, method claims may be recognized by the explicit use of the word ‘method’ in the preamble of the claims and the use of the ‘ing’ tense of the active word. Method claims should not be interpreted to have particular steps in a particular order unless the claim element specifically refers to a previous element, a previous action, or the result of a previous action. Apparatus claims may be recognized by the use of the word ‘apparatus’ in the preamble of the claim and should not be interpreted to have ‘means plus function language’ unless the word ‘means’ is specifically used in the claim element. The words ‘defining,’ ‘having,’ or ‘including’ should be interpreted as open ended claim language that allows additional elements or structures. Finally, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Claims

1. A method for generating a map with collected road condition information using a location recorder that records both location and user input data, the method comprising:

providing a road condition signal generator with a user selectable condition;
generating a road condition signal from the condition signal generator for each location based on the user selectable condition;
outputting a map with a different road condition indicator for each user selectable condition at each location;
outputting a video image associated with the location and user input data;
providing a directional vehicle position indicator on the map indicating the location and a viewing direction for the video image; and
the user selectable condition selected from the road condition group including an excellent condition, a good condition, a fair condition, a critical condition, a lost condition, a cracked surface condition, a starting pothole condition, a critical pothole condition, a large volume cracking condition, and an alligator surface condition.

2. A method for generating a map with collected road condition information using a location recorder that records both location and user input data, the method comprising

providing a road condition signal generator with a user selectable condition;
generating a road condition signal from the condition signal generator for each location based on the user selectable condition;
outputting a map with a different road condition indicator for each user selectable condition at each location;
outputting a video image associated with the location and user input data;
providing a directional vehicle position indicator on the map indicating the location and a viewing direction for the video image; and
generating a road condition signal including generating a unique signal for each condition selector chosen from a signal group including a good condition signal, fair condition signal, critical condition signal, lost condition signal, excellent condition signal, surface condition signal, cracked surface condition signal, starting pothole condition signal, critical pothole condition signal, audio note condition signal, large volume cracking condition signal, and alligator surface condition signal.

3. A method for generating a map with collected road condition information using a location recorder that records both location and user input data, the method comprising:

providing a road condition signal generator with a user selectable condition;
generating a road condition signal from the condition signal generator for each location based on the user selectable condition;
outputting a map with a different road condition indicator for each user selectable condition at each location;
outputting a video image associated with the location and user input data;
providing a directional vehicle position indicator on the map indicating the location and a viewing direction for the video image; and
outputting a map with a different road condition indicator for each selectable condition including generating a unique output for each condition signal chosen from a pattern group including a good condition pattern, fair condition pattern, critical condition pattern, lost condition pattern, excellent condition pattern, surface condition pattern, cracked surface condition pattern, starting pothole condition pattern, critical pothole condition pattern, audio note condition pattern, large volume cracking condition pattern, and alligator surface condition pattern.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
5253940 October 19, 1993 Abecassis
6741790 May 25, 2004 Burgess
20140160295 June 12, 2014 Kyomitsu
20150161540 June 11, 2015 Akselrod
Foreign Patent Documents
104731856 June 2015 CN
2009270968 November 2009 JP
WO-2013173911 November 2013 WO
Patent History
Patent number: 11460981
Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 24, 2020
Date of Patent: Oct 4, 2022
Inventor: Mike Morgan (Fayetteville, AR)
Primary Examiner: Calvin Cheung
Application Number: 16/937,663
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Key-cap Or Key-stem Structure (400/490)
International Classification: G06V 20/56 (20220101); G06F 3/0484 (20220101); G06F 3/0482 (20130101);